You’ve got the BBQ. You’ve stocked up on sausages, marinades, and probably told your mates “I’ll do the burgers” like you’re Gordon Ramsay. But once you start grilling regularly, you quickly realise it’s not just about the grill — it’s about the gear.
Forget those flimsy gadgets gathering dust in the shed. We’re talking about game-changing BBQ accessories that genuinely enhance your grilling experience, becoming indispensable every time you fire up the grill. These aren’t just tools; they’re investments in better barbecuing.
Some of these essentials will save you precious time, streamlining your prep & cooking. Others will significantly improve the flavour of your food, unlocking new taste dimensions. And let’s be honest, some will simply make you look like a seasoned pro – even if you’re still mastering the art of the perfect flip.
Here are the best BBQ accessories you didn’t know you needed in 2025 – but won’t want to BBQ without again.
1. A Decent Digital Thermometer (No, Really)
Let’s start with the most underrated accessory of all: the humble meat thermometer. Gone are the days of slicing into chicken “just to check” or guessing if the sausages are done by giving them a shake.
Modern digital thermometers give you an instant, accurate temperature reading, and many now come with:
- Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection to your phone
- Alarms when food reaches the correct temp
- Dual probes for multiple meats
Perfect for hitting that ideal medium-rare steak without risking salmonella roulette. Plus, it makes you look incredibly professional.
2025 tip: Look for models with magnetic bases so you can slap it on the BBQ frame & keep your hands free.
2. Heatproof BBQ Gloves (Because Tongs Aren’t Always Enough)
If you’ve ever tried to shift a hot grill grate, pick up a cast-iron pan from the BBQ, or add coals mid-cook, you’ll know that regular oven mitts aren’t up to the job.
Proper BBQ gloves are made from heat-resistant fabric (often Kevlar or silicone-coated), with full wrist coverage and good grip. They’re flexible enough to let you grab tools, shift hot skewers, or reposition fuel — all without burning your hands or melting your sleeves.
An absolute must-have if you’re serious about charcoal or plan to get creative with heat zones.
3. Grill Basket for Veg and Small Bits
Trying to grill delicate items like asparagus, sliced courgette, or prawns directly on the grates is a recipe for disaster. You’ll either lose half your food to the flames or end up in a frustrating, almost comical chase, pursuing slippery mushrooms with your tongs across the grill.
Grill baskets let you cook smaller, fiddlier items without losing them. You get that lovely char and smoky flavour — just without the stress. Some even have hinged tops so you can flip the whole thing in one go.
They’re also brilliant for toasting buns, grilling halloumi, or doing mixed veg quickly without using five skewers & your last shred of patience.
4. A Chimney Starter (For Charcoal BBQs)
If you’re still lighting your charcoal with firelighters and hope, you’re doing it the hard way. A chimney starter is a game-changer for anyone using a charcoal BBQ. You just fill it with briquettes, pop some paper underneath, light it, and within 15–20 minutes you’ve got a full tower of white-hot coals, ready to go.
No lighter fluid, no patchy heat, no drama. Just reliable, even heat every time.
Bonus: it’s more eco-friendly & makes you look like someone who actually knows what a BBQ is.
5. A Basting Pot & Brush Set
Marinades are great. But if you’re using a regular kitchen brush and a cereal bowl, you’re missing out.
A proper basting pot and silicone brush set lets you keep sauces warm, baste efficiently without dripping marinade everywhere, and apply flavour evenly throughout the cook. Some sets even sit on the grill to keep sauces warm & thin.
Great for ribs, wings, or giving burgers that cheeky last-glaze finish that takes them from “fine” to “flippin’ brilliant”.
6. BBQ Light (Yes, Even in Summer)
It’s easy to forget: even in summer, British evenings don’t stay bright for long — especially if your BBQ runs into a few drinks & goes on past 9pm.
A clip-on LED BBQ light ensures you can see exactly what you’re cooking, even when the garden starts to dim. Some are magnetic, others clamp to the lid handle, and many are waterproof and heat-resistant.
Perfect for avoiding burnt burgers or undercooked chicken thighs — and ideal if your BBQ sits in a shaded corner.
7. Cast Iron Griddle Plate
You’ve got the grill grates — but add a cast iron griddle plate, and suddenly you’re cooking eggs, pancakes, smash burgers, and even full English breakfasts outdoors.
Griddles sit directly over the burners or coals, distributing heat evenly & letting you cook foods that would otherwise fall through the bars. They hold heat like a dream & develop seasoning over time, just like your nan’s frying pan.
Also great for doing onions, peppers, and cheese-topped things without making a cheesy disaster zone.
8. Proper BBQ Cover (No More Tarp-and-Hope Jobs)
This one’s less glamorous, but absolutely essential.
If you’re not covering your BBQ properly when it’s not in use, you’re cutting its lifespan in half. Rust, mould, fading — it’ll all happen sooner than you think. And slinging an old tarp over it isn’t much better.
Invest in a fitted, waterproof, UV-resistant BBQ cover. It’ll keep your grill in top shape, save you a deep clean every spring, and make sure your gear lasts more than one or two summers.
Just make sure it’s breathable — you don’t want a mini greenhouse of condensation building underneath.
9. Pizza Stone or Box
OK, maybe not essential — but if you’ve got a bit of room & love outdoor cooking, a BBQ pizza stone or pizza oven box opens up a whole new world.
Crispy, stone-baked pizza cooked over fire? Yes please.
They work best on larger BBQs with lids & indirect heat zones. Just preheat the stone for 20–30 minutes, slide your pizza on, and cook with the lid down. You’ll never look at supermarket pizza the same way again.
Overall, BBQ accessories should do one of three things:
- Make cooking easier
- Improve flavour or results
- Protect your gear long-term
The ones above tick all three boxes. They’re not gimmicks – they’re tools that help you get more out of every BBQ, whether you’re grilling once a month or five times a week.
So before you buy another novelty apron or a pair of comedy tongs, consider investing in the gear that’ll actually improve your BBQ game.
